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Home / Sleep Health / How to Find the Best Sleeping Position on an Adjustable Bed
Sleep Health

How to Find the Best Sleeping Position on an Adjustable Bed

by Kiera Pritchard 1 comments on How to Find the Best Sleeping Position on an Adjustable Bed

Eachnight may earn commissions for products you purchase through our links. Our articles and reviews include affiliate links and advertisements, including amerisleep advertising. Learn more

Updated November 13, 2024

Key Takeaways

  • Zero Gravity Position: The zero gravity position, which elevates your head and knees slightly above the heart with a 120-degree angle between the torso and legs, is the most popular for adjustable beds. This position can reduce pressure on the spine, help keep airways open, and may prevent snoring and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Side Sleeping: Side sleeping on an adjustable bed can relieve tension in the shoulders and neck by allowing adjustments for proper spinal alignment. Sleeping on the right side is recommended, as it may be beneficial for individuals with certain health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heartburn, and acid reflux.
  • Head and Feet Raised: Elevating both the head and feet is a versatile position that’s useful for those with mobility issues, and it’s also great for activities like watching TV or reading. Alternatively, raising just the feet can be helpful for individuals with swollen feet or restless leg syndrome, as it promotes fluid movement away from the feet and improves blood circulation

Purchasing an adjustable base is a great way to enhance sleep because these beds offer several health benefits like reduced joint pain and improved circulation. Some adjustable beds have pre-programmed settings, while others allow you to create your preferred angle.

If you have recently purchased an adjustable base, it may be tough to find the best position as you’re getting used to your bed. In this article, we’ll look at the most popular sleeping positions for an adjustable bed.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Sciatica

Zero Gravity Position

The zero gravity position is the most popular for adjustable beds. Originally, this position was created by NASA to equalize the weight of astronauts during rocket take-off. When you sleep in the zero-gravity position, your head and knees are lifted slightly above the heart, while the torso and legs form a 120-degree angle.

Lying in the zero gravity position puts less pressure on your spine than sleeping on a flat mattress. Additionally, sleeping with your head elevated keeps your airways open and may prevent snoring and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Bed Sores/Pressure Ulcers

best-sleeping-position-adjustable-bed

Side Sleeping

Side sleeping on an adjustable bed may ease tension on your shoulders and neck. By adjusting the top and bottom sections of your adjustable bed, your spine can maintain good alignment, which alleviates pressure on your hips, shoulders, and neck.

We recommend sleeping on your right side as opposed to your left. Sleeping on your left side puts immense pressure on your heart. It’s better to sleep on your right side as this creates more space in your chest, allowing more blood flow throughout your body.

Sleeping on your right side is helpful for individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, heartburn, and acid reflux.

Head and Feet Raised

Raising your head and feet is a great position to sleep in if you have mobility issues. This way, you can adjust your bed when you need to climb out of bed. Plus, lying in this position is perfect for watching television or reading your favorite book while you’re winding down.

Feet Raised

Sleeping with the feet elevated is best for people with swollen feet or restless leg syndrome. Raising your legs independently of the rest of your body helps to move fluid away from your feet, offering temporary relief. This position also allows more blood to circulate throughout your body, easing some of the strain on your joints.

Why Choose an Adjustable Bed?

Choosing an adjustable base is beneficial for sleepers who struggle with snoring, allergies, sinus problems, or obstructive sleep apnea. Some individuals find relief from snoring when sleeping in a raised position because it prevents your tongue and throat muscles from relaxing too far. Plus, sleeping elevated on an adjustable bed keeps your neck supported, so you won’t have to worry about waking up feeling tense.

Most people purchase adjustable beds to help them with aches or back pain. Sleeping in the zero gravity position provides pressure relief for sensitive areas like your hips, back, and legs. An adjustable bed for back pain can also relieve aches and tension with massage features.

Additionally, when you sleep in this position, your head and legs are elevated, allowing more blood to reach your heart. This helps reduce swelling in areas like your feet and also improves your blood circulation.

Plus, adjustable beds can make mornings more comfortable too. Older individuals who wake up stiff and sore can unwind with a morning massage and use an adjustable bed for seniors to sit up easily. Some adjustable bases can even be set at different heights to make it even simpler to slide out of bed, minimizing the risk of fall damage.

FAQs

What is the healthiest sleeping position?

Sleeping on your back is considered to be one of the healthiest sleeping positions. Back sleep promotes spinal alignment and helps improve your posture. However, there are a few drawbacks to sleeping on your back, such as worsened snoring or sleep apnea. When you lie in this position, your head may fall too low, making it difficult for oxygen to move through the airways.

What sleeping position should I avoid?

We do not recommend stomach sleeping because it puts a lot of pressure on your spine. If you’re a stomach sleeper and want to improve your sleep posture, we highly recommend transitioning to healthier sleeping positions such as back or side sleeping. This is because stomach sleeping puts a lot of pressure on your spine, making it difficult to maintain a neutral spine position while you sleep.

However, if you still prefer sleeping on your stomach, it’s important to choose a mattress that provides adequate support to prevent further strain on your back. When looking for the best mattress for stomach sleepers, consider options that are firm enough to support your body weight and keep your spine aligned, yet soft enough to relieve pressure on your joints.

Is an adjustable bed good for side sleepers?

Though back sleepers are pictured on adjustable beds frequently, they are still an excellent choice for side sleeping. Side sleepers often experience stiffness in the shoulder areas. Adjustable beds can elevate your upper body into a more comfortable and relaxed position.

Is sleeping on the left side bad for my heart?

Sleeping on your left side puts a lot of pressure on your heart. For this reason, we recommend sleeping on your side because the right side creates more space in the chest cavity. Right side sleep also helps your body clear waste from the brain and may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurological diseases.

Do I need a special type of mattress for an adjustable bed?

The best mattresses for an adjustable base are latex mattresses, hybrid beds, and memory foam mattresses. You should avoid using older innerspring mattresses because they are not as flexible as other mattress types. Additionally, coils in innerspring beds can become damaged when repositioning your bed.

Conclusion

Adjustable beds allow sleepers to place their beds in the zero gravity position; however, there are other relaxing angles for more restorative rest. For instance, raising your feet can ease tension in your legs, while sleeping in a weightless position may increase deep sleep.

We do not recommend stomach sleep on an adjustable bed because it is an unhealthy position. When you sleep in this position, it puts a lot of pressure on your spine because most of your weight is in the middle of your body. It’s better to transition to side or back sleeping to keep your spine in its natural alignment.

About the author
Kiera Pritchard

Kiera Pritchard’s curiosity around dreams and dreaming sparked her passion for sleep science. In addition to freelancing for eachnight, Kiera is also a physical trainer and strives to help others lead healthy lives while asleep and awake. Since joining our team, Kiera has compiled multiple sleep health guides offering our readers advice on how to improve their days and evenings.

Find more articles by Kiera

CommentsLeave a comment

  1. ...
    Karen Reimer January 6, 2024 at 11:50 pm
    Reply

    Very informative. Thank you!

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